Approximately 1.4 million more adults were victimized by identity fraud in 2011, compared to 2010. Countering this rise is the successful effort to combat identity fraud coupled with greater consumer awareness of the issue. While the number of fraud incidents increased, the total amount lost remained steady.

One of the key factors potentially contributing to the increase in incidents was the significant rise in data breaches. The survey found 15 percent of Americans, or about 36 million people, were notified of a data breach in 2011. Consumers receiving a data breach notification were 9.5 times more likely to become a victim of identify fraud.

According to the survey the three most common items exposed during a data breach are:

— Credit card number

— Debit card number

— Social Security number

What Are the Latest Identity Theft Statistics?

Here are some eye-opening statistics:

• 500 million—the number of consumers from 2005 to 2009 whose personal and financial data has been exposed as a result of corporate data breaches—events the victims cannot control despite taking personal safety measures

• 400%—victims who found out about their identity theft more than six months after it happened incurred costs four times higher than the average

• 165 hours—the average amount of time victims spent repairing the damage done by creation of new fraudulent accounts

• 58 hours—the average amount of time victims spent repairing the damage done to existing accounts